Giggs looks forward to 'next chapter'

ESPN staff

May 9, 2014

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Ryan Giggs says he is looking forward to the next chapter in his career after enjoying the role of interim manager at Manchester United.

He will wait until after the club's final game of the season at Southampton on Sunday to make a final decision on whether to continue his 23-year playing career, join the backroom staff of the new United manager or take charge of another club.

But Giggs, who was presented with a lifetime achievement award at Thursday night's end of season awards night at Old Trafford, said: "I still enjoy training and playing but I have really enjoyed the last couple of weeks so it has been a good experience to take me on to the next chapter of my life.

"Your coaching badges prepare you as best they can, but it's not until you do it that you know if you are going to like it or not.

"There've been times where I've thought this is a headache, but there have been times where it is rewarding, like the good results we've had or the good training sessions you've put on and the lads have really reacted well to it.

"There's other bits where everything gets on top of you and you can't wait for the day to end. Everybody wants a little piece of you during the day so it's best to stay in the office and hide. The football side is not a problem.

"It's not a lot different from a player: the satisfaction you get from winning and the pleasure you get from setting out a team and they go out and do their stuff.

"Equally, when you lose a game you are gutted, you are angry, you are disappointed but just like a player you can't wait for the next game so you can do something about it. It goes in waves: one minute you are enjoying it, one you are not but it gives you a lot of satisfaction when it goes right.

"I have not decided [on what to do next]. I am too busy trying to prepare a team for Southampton and that is my priority at the moment.

"When the season ends I will go away and think about what I want to do. It has been a difficult season for us and when the management situation gets sorted out then we can move on."

There is also uncertainty over the Old Trafford futures of the rest of the Class of 92, with Giggs' assistant Phil Neville declaring his desire to be kept on under the new management.

Whatever path Giggs opts to take, he is certain United will come back stronger next season after slumping from being champions to seventh in the Premier League.

"It's been a disappointing season but if you are a proper club, which we are, you always bounce back," said Giggs, who debuted for United in 1991.

"In football you have setbacks. In my first full season we lost out to Leeds in the league and I was sat in the dressing room as an 18 year-old watching grown men cry.

"We came back the next year and won the league for the first time in 26 years and there is not a doubt in my mind that we will be back next year, we will be challenging and that is what proper clubs do - they have setbacks and come back stronger."